Movies With the Most Oscar Nominations That Didn’t Win

The Academy Awards (now commonly known as the Oscars) are awards given every year since 1929 to recognize outstanding creativity and merit within the film industry. While dozens of movies are presented with awards each year, many go home empty-handed. Today, let’s review 38 movies that have received at least 7 Oscar nominations, and yet still lost in every category.

To determine the movies with the most Oscar nominations that didn’t win, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Movies with zero Oscar wins were ranked based on the number of Oscar nominations. (Click here to see the movies so good they should have won an Oscar but didn’t.)

38. Pepe (1960)

• No. Oscar nominations: 7
• Nominated for: Art Direction (Color), Cinematography (Color), Costume Design (Color), Film Editing, Music (Scoring Of A Musical Picture), Music (Song), Sound

While this movie begins as a tale about a man and his beloved horse, it turns into a wild adventure that takes the lead character, Pepe (portrayed by Cantinflas), away from his home and into Hollywood. 

37. Come to the Stable (1949)

• No. Oscar nominations: 7
• Nominated for: Actress, Actress In A Supporting Role, Actress In A Supporting Role, Art Direction (Black-And-White), Cinematography (Black-And-White), Music (Song), Writing (Motion Picture Story)

Starring Loretta Young and Celeste Holm, “Come to the Stable” tells the story of two nuns who arrive in Bethlehem, Connecticut, to open a children’s hospital. 

36. Star! (1968)

• No. Oscar nominations: 7
• Nominated for: Actor In A Supporting Role, Art Direction, Cinematography, Costume Design, Music (Score Of A Musical Picture–Original Or Adaptation), Music (Song–Original For The Picture), Sound

In “Star!,” Julie Andrews reunites with the filmmakers of “The Sound of Music” to create a musical that depicts the life of Gertrude Lawrence. Lawrence was a talented actress and singer who rose to heights in her movie roles from the late 1930s to the 1950s. 

35. Hawaii (1966)

• No. Oscar nominations: 7
• Nominated for: Actress In A Supporting Role, Cinematography (Color), Costume Design (Color), Music (Original Music Score), Music (Song), Sound, Special Visual Effects

Before her portrayal as Gertrude Lawrence, Julie Andrews took on the role of Jerusha Bromley, a missionary’s wife, in the film “Hawaii.” The movie is set in the early 1800s and tells the tale of a husband and wife who travel to the remote islands in an effort to convert natives. 

34. The Godfather Part III (1990)

• No. Oscar nominations: 7
• Nominated for: Actor In A Supporting Role, Art Direction, Cinematography, Directing, Film Editing, Music (Original Song), Best Picture

As the third and final chapter in the iconic Godfather series, it was no surprise that this film received 7 Oscar nominations in 1991. The main character, Michael Corleone (played by Al Pacino) has now aged and is looking to step back from the crime scene. 

33. The Prince of Tides (1991)

• No. Oscar nominations: 7
• Nominated for: Actor In A Leading Role, Actress In A Supporting Role, Art Direction, Cinematography, Music (Original Score), Best Picture, Writing (Screenplay Based On Material Previously Produced Or Published)

Barbra Streisand directs and stars in this early 90s film based on the 1986 novel by Pat Conroy. “The Prince of Tides” recounts the story of a man who works to uncover his family’s past while finding new love along the way. Aside from Streisand, the movie also stars Nick Nolte, who was nominated for a leading actor role.

32. Seabiscuit (2003)

• No. Oscar nominations: 7
• Nominated for: Art Direction, Cinematography, Costume Design, Film Editing, Best Picture, Sound Mixing, Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

Featuring Tobey Maguire and Jeff Bridges, “Seabiscuit” follows the true story of the iconic racehorse who took the world by storm in its multiple wins during 1937. 

31. Madame Curie (1943)

• No. Oscar nominations: 7
• Nominated for: Actor, Actress, Art Direction (Black-And-White), Cinematography (Black-And-White), Music (Music Score Of A Dramatic Or Comedy Picture), Outstanding Motion Picture, Sound Recording

“Madame Curie” tells the story of the famed scientist husband and wife team, Pierre and Marie Curie. While the movie dives into the Curie’s massive scientific work that earns them a Nobel Prize in Physics, it also tells the story of their romance.

30. The Thin Red Line (1998)

• No. Oscar nominations: 7
• Nominated for: Cinematography, Directing, Film Editing, Music (Original Dramatic Score), Best Picture, Sound, Writing (Screenplay Based On Material Previously Produced Or Published)

“The Thin Red Line” was nominated for serval Oscar awards largely due to its accurate depiction of the Battle of Guadalcanal during World War II. It was also based on a 1962 autobiographical novel by James Jones. The film also starred Jim Caviezel, Sean Penn, and Nick Nolte, among a large list of other A-list actors. 

29. Hush…Hush, Sweet Charlotte (1964)

• No. Oscar nominations: 7
• Nominated for: Actress In A Supporting Role, Art Direction (Black-And-White), Cinematography (Black-And-White), Costume Design (Black-And-White), Film Editing, Music (Music Score–Substantially Original), Music (Song)

This film follows the harrowing story of Charlotte Hollis (played by Bette Davis) who many believe killed her lover in 1927. Later, Charlotte requests the help of her long-lost cousin Miriam (Olivia de Havilland), only to discover that Miriam is out to trick her into receiving the family fortune.

28. The Talk of the Town (1942)

• No. Oscar nominations: 7
• Nominated for: Art Direction (Black-And-White), Cinematography (Black-And-White), Film Editing, Music (Music Score Of A Dramatic Or Comedy Picture), Outstanding Motion Picture, Writing (Original Motion Picture Story), Writing (Screenplay)

Starring Cary Grant, Jean Arthur, and Ronald Colman, “The Talk of the Town” features an escaped prisoner who must convince others of his innocence. This film was especially known for its writing, yet it failed to win a single Oscar. 

27. Broadcast News (1987)

• No. Oscar nominations: 7
• Nominated for: Actor In A Leading Role, Actor In A Supporting Role, Actress In A Leading Role, Cinematography, Film Editing, Best Picture, Writing (Screenplay Written Directly For The Screen)

“Broadcast News” tells the story of a love triangle between two TV reporters and one producer. The film earned all three stars, William Hurt, Albert Brooks, and Holly Hunter, Oscar nominations for their performances.

26. The Fabelmans (2022)

• No. Oscar nominations: 7
• Nominated for: Actor In A Supporting Role, Actress In A Leading Role, Directing, Music (Original Score), Best Picture, Production Design, Writing (Original Screenplay)

Directed by Steven Spielberg, “The Fabelmans” follows the life of Sammy Fabelman. Sammy is an aspiring filmmaker who chooses to follow his dreams, despite his upsetting home life.

25. The Caine Mutiny (1954)

• No. Oscar nominations: 7
• Nominated for: Actor, Actor In A Supporting Role, Film Editing, Music (Music Score Of A Dramatic Or Comedy Picture), Best Motion Picture, Sound Recording, Writing (Screenplay)

In this film, a World War II captain (played by Humphrey Bogart) is removed from duty by his crew. It’s unclear if the act is a form of mutiny, or if the captain is mentally unstable. 

24. The Letter (1940)

• No. Oscar nominations: 7
• Nominated for: Actor In A Supporting Role, Actress, Cinematography (Black-And-White), Directing, Film Editing, Music (Original Score), Outstanding Production

“The Letter” is a thrilling drama that stars Bette Davis as Leslie Crosbie. Leslie is the wife of a rubber plantation owner in Malaysia who pleads self-defense for murdering a man. It’s discovered later, however, that Leslie wrote a letter to the man as her lover, asking him to meet her that night. 

23. Random Harvest (1942)

• No. Oscar nominations: 7
• Nominated for: Actor, Actress In A Supporting Role, Art Direction (Black-And-White), Directing, Music (Music Score Of A Dramatic Or Comedy Picture), Outstanding Motion Picture, Writing (Screenplay)

Earning Ronald Coleman a nomination for Best Actor, “Random Harvest” shares the story of a World War I veteran who falls in love. However, an accident erases his most recent memories.

22. The Martian (2015)

• No. Oscar nominations: 7
• Nominated for: Actor In A Leading Role, Best Picture, Production Design, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing, Visual Effects, Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

Directed by Ridley Scott and starring Matt Damon, “The Martian” pits a man against his will to survive after he’s left stranded on Mars.

21. The Insider (1999)

• No. Oscar nominations: 7
• Nominated for: Actor In A Leading Role, Cinematography, Directing, Film Editing, Best Picture, Sound, Writing (Screenplay Based On Material Previously Produced Or Published)

“The Insider” features two brilliant, A-list actors, Al Pacino and Russell Crowe. The film covers the story of a whistleblower in the tobacco industry who must fight against the law and politics to tell the truth.

20. Anatomy of a Murder (1959)

• No. Oscar nominations: 7
• Nominated for: Actor, Actor In A Supporting Role, Actor In A Supporting Role, Cinematography (Black-And-White), Film Editing, Best Motion Picture, Writing (Screenplay–Based On Material From Another Medium)

In this 1959 crime thriller, a lawyer (James Stewart) defends an army lieutenant who is being charged with murder after killing a man who supposedly attacked his wife.

19. In the Name of the Father (1993)

• No. Oscar nominations: 7
• Nominated for: Actor In A Leading Role, Actor In A Supporting Role, Actress In A Supporting Role, Directing, Film Editing, Best Picture, Writing (Screenplay Based On Material Previously Produced Or Published)

Daniel Day-Lewis and Pete Postlethwaite portray a father-son duo who are wrongly accused of murder in the 1993 thriller “In the Name of the Father.” The film is also based on a true story.

18. Double Indemnity (1944)

• No. Oscar nominations: 7
• Nominated for: Actress, Cinematography (Black-And-White), Directing, Music (Music Score Of A Dramatic Or Comedy Picture), Best Motion Picture, Sound Recording, Writing (Screenplay)

When a housewife convinces her lover, an insurance agent, to murder her husband and commit insurance fraud, the story doesn’t add up to the agent’s best friend.

17. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

• No. Oscar nominations: 7
• Nominated for: Actor In A Leading Role, Cinematography, Film Editing, Music (Original Score), Best Picture, Sound, Writing (Screenplay Based On Material Previously Produced Or Published)

An innocent man, Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins), becomes friends with fellow inmate Red (Morgan Freeman). Andy escapes, and after Red earns his parole, the two reunite as free men outside Shawshank prison.

16. Quo Vadis (1951)

• No. Oscar nominations: 8
• Nominated for: Actor In A Supporting Role, Actor In A Supporting Role, Art Direction (Color), Cinematography (Color), Costume Design (Color), Film Editing, Music (Music Score Of A Dramatic Or Comedy Picture), Best Motion Picture

“Quo Vadis” takes place in Rome as two unlikely people, a Roman commander and a Christian hostage, fall in love and question the leadership of Emperor Nero.

15. Ragtime (1981)

• No. Oscar nominations: 8
• Nominated for: Actor In A Supporting Role, Actress In A Supporting Role, Art Direction, Cinematography, Costume Design, Music (Original Score), Music (Original Song), Writing (Screenplay Based On Material From Another Medium)

While filmed in the early 1980s, “Ragtime” depicts life in the early 1900s. It intertwines stories of love and the racial challenges many faced at the time.

14. The Nun’s Story (1959)

• No. Oscar nominations: 8
• Nominated for: Actress, Cinematography (Color), Directing, Film Editing, Music (Music Score Of A Dramatic Or Comedy Picture), Best Motion Picture, Sound, Writing (Screenplay–Based On Material From Another Medium)

In this film, Audrey Hepburn takes on the role of Sister Luke. She begins as a nun who questions her devotion when World War II begins and her homeland of Belgium is overtaken.

13. Elvis (2022)

• No. Oscar nominations: 8
• Nominated for: Actor In A Leading Role, Cinematography, Costume Design, Film Editing, Makeup And Hairstyling, Best Picture, Production Design, Sound

In Austin Butler’s breakout role as Elvis, this film depicts the legendary singer and actor’s tumultuous relationship with his manager, Colonel Tom Parker.

12. The Sand Pebbles (1966)

• No. Oscar nominations: 8
• Nominated for: Actor, Actor In A Supporting Role, Art Direction (Color), Cinematography (Color), Film Editing, Music (Original Music Score), Best Picture, Sound

Starring Steve McQueen, “The Sand Pebbles” recounts the story of a U.S. gunboat’s mission to rescue Chinese missionaries in 1926.

11. The Remains of the Day (1993)

• No. Oscar nominations: 8
• Nominated for: Actor In A Leading Role, Actress In A Leading Role, Art Direction, Costume Design, Directing, Music (Original Score), Best Picture, Writing (Screenplay Based On Material Previously Produced Or Published)

Anthony Hopkins plays the role of a butler named Stevens in this film portraying the upscale life of a British man in pre-World War II. Emma Thompson also takes on the role of Hopkins’ love interest, earning her a nomination for Best Actress.

10. The Elephant Man (1980)

• No. Oscar nominations: 8
• Nominated for: Actor In A Leading Role, Art Direction, Costume Design, Directing, Film Editing, Music (Original Score), Best Picture, Writing (Screenplay Based On Material From Another Medium)

“The Elephant Man” also stars Anthony Hopkins, this time as a surgeon. Hopkins works with a disfigured man and discovers the true spirit of the human behind the nickname. Additionally, the film is based on the true story of Joseph Merrick.

9. The Little Foxes (1941)

• No. Oscar nominations: 9
• Nominated for: Actress, Actress In A Supporting Role, Actress In A Supporting Role, Art Direction (Black-And-White), Directing, Film Editing, Music (Music Score Of A Dramatic Picture), Outstanding Motion Picture, Writing (Screenplay)

Bette Davis again received a nod for Best Actress in her role as Regina Giddens in “The Little Foxes.” This film depicts the life of a deceitful woman and her challenging relationship with her daughter.

8. Peyton Place (1957)

• No. Oscar nominations: 9
• Nominated for: Actor In A Supporting Role, Actor In A Supporting Role, Actress, Actress In A Supporting Role, Actress In A Supporting Role, Cinematography, Directing, Best Motion Picture, Writing (Screenplay–Based On Material From Another Medium)

Starring Lana Turner and Lee Philips, “Peyton Place” tells the story of a small New England community whose upright morality rules begin to unravel as their younger generation ages.

7. The Banshees of Inisherin (2022)

• No. Oscar nominations: 9
• Nominated for: Actor In A Leading Role, Actor In A Supporting Role, Actor In A Supporting Role, Actress In A Supporting Role, Directing, Film Editing, Music (Original Score), Best Picture, Writing (Original Screenplay)

“The Banshees of Inisherin” follows two close friends, Padraic Suilleabhain (Colin Farrell) and Colm Doherty (Brendan Gleeson) who abruptly end their friendship. Both Farrell and Gleeson saw nominations for acting roles. However, the film was shut out in the 2023 Oscars, losing to “Everything Everywhere All at Once” in 6 of the 9 categories.

6. Gangs of New York (2002)

• No. Oscar nominations: 10
• Nominated for: Actor In A Leading Role, Art Direction, Cinematography, Costume Design, Directing, Film Editing, Music (Original Song), Best Picture, Sound, Writing (Original Screenplay)

Set in the late 1800s, “Gangs of New York” tells the tale of Amsterdam Vallon. Vallon, now a young man, returns to a highly hostile area of New York to avenge his father’s killer, Bill “The Butcher” Cutting. With huge names like Leonardo DiCaprio (Vallon), Daniel Day-Lewis (Cutting), and Cameron Diaz (Jenny Everdeane), the movie made a splash with critics. After receiving 10 nods for the 2003 Oscars, many were shocked when it came up empty-handed. The film lost to both “Chicago” and “The Pianist” in several categories.

5. American Hustle (2013)

• No. Oscar nominations: 10
• Nominated for: Actor In A Leading Role, Actor In A Supporting Role, Actress In A Leading Role, Actress In A Supporting Role, Costume Design, Directing, Film Editing, Best Picture, Production Design, Writing (Original Screenplay)

Set in the late 1970s and early 80s, “American Hustle” tells the story of a con man and his partner who end up working for the FBI. This interaction then forces the pair to enter the world of politics and the New Jersey mafia. The star-studded cast included Christian Bale and Amy Adams, along with Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, and Jeremy Renner. Despite the brilliant list of A-list actors and the 10 nominations it earned, “American Hustle” came up empty-handed during the 2014 Oscars. “12 Years a Slave” won in 2 categories as well as “Dallas Buyers Club” and “Gravity.”

4. True Grit (2010)

• No. Oscar nominations: 10
• Nominated for: Actor In A Leading Role, Actress In A Supporting Role, Art Direction, Cinematography, Costume Design, Directing, Best Picture, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing, Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

As a remake of the 1969 John Wayne film, “True Grit” follows the story of an unlikely duo. Mattie Ross teams up with Rooster Cogburn to bring her father’s killer to justice. The film included a few very well-known actors including Jeff Bridges, who plays Cogburn, Hailee Steinfeld (Ross), Matt Damon, and Josh Brolin, among others. In 2011, the film was nominated for 10 Oscars. However, it failed to win an award in any of these categories, losing largely to “The King’s Speech” and “Inception.”

3. The Irishman (2019)

• No. Oscar nominations: 10
• Nominated for: Actor In A Supporting Role, Actor In A Supporting Role, Cinematography, Costume Design, Directing, Film Editing, Best Picture, Production Design, Visual Effects, Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

Directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci, “The Irishman” depicts the life of Frank Sheeran. Sheeran, a WWII vet returns home to enter a career with the mob and the Bufalino family. Though the film earned 10 nominations, it lost to “Parasite,” “Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood,” and “1917” in 2 categories each.

2. The Turning Point (1977)

• No. Oscar nominations: 11
• Nominated for: Actor In A Supporting Role, Actress In A Leading Role, Actress In A Leading Role, Actress In A Supporting Role, Art Direction, Cinematography, Directing, Film Editing, Best Picture, Sound, Writing (Screenplay Written Directly For The Screen–Based On Fact

Featuring Anne Bancroft, Shirley MacLaine, Mikhail Baryshnikov, and Tom Skerritt, “The Turning Point” tells the story of two women who took different roads in life after both being dedicated to ballet. While Emma (Bancroft) stayed dedicated to the art, Deedee (MacLaine) left to settle down and begin a family. The film was nominated for 11 awards in 1978. It came up empty-handed, however, losing largely to “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope” and “Annie Hall.”

1. The Color Purple (1985)

• No. Oscar nominations: 11
• Nominated for: Actress In A Leading Role, Actress In A Supporting Role, Actress In A Supporting Role, Art Direction, Cinematography, Costume Design, Makeup, Music (Original Score), Music (Original Song), Best Picture, Writing (Screenplay Based On Material From Another Movie)

Based on the 1982 fiction novel by Alice Walker, “The Color Purple” follows the life story of Celie Johnson. Celie is an African American girl who endures much turmoil as she grows up in the South during the early 1900s. Several familiar actors and actresses rounded out the cast of this film. Whoopi Goldberg plays Celie, earning her a nomination for Best Actress. Danny Glover, Oprah Winfrey, and Margaret Avery also round out the main characters. Additionally, the movie was directed by Steven Spielberg, earning him a nomination for Best Picture. However, the film failed to bring home an Oscar, losing largely to “Out of Africa.”  (Click here to see the best Oscar-winning movies you can stream for free right now.)